Controls for machines such as typewriters



March 24, 1970 M. BLAHA ET AL 3,502,188

I CONTROLS FOR MACHINES SUCH AS TYPEWRITERS Filed Dec. 19. 1967 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTORS: Miroslav BLAHA' Jaroslav KEPRDA fileir AHomey March 24, 1970 M. BLAHA ETAL 3,502,188

CONTROLS FOR MACHINES SUCH AS TYPEWRITERS Filed Dec. 19. 1967 s Sheets-Sheet 2 S I: d g

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fheir Afiorney March 24, 1970 M. BLAHA ET AL 3,502,188

CONTROLS FOR MACHINES SUCH AS TYPEWRITERS Filed Dec. 19. 1967 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTORS. Mlroslav BLAHA -J rosluv KEPRDA United States Patent U.S. Cl. 197-98 10 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE Controls for machines such as typewriters. The machine has a frame which carries a pin, and on this pin a first control means for providing a first control function is pivotally supported. This first control means includes an elongated bar pivotally carried by the pin and formed intermediate its ends with a longitudinal slot extending therethrough. A second control means is also supported for movement by this pin, and this second control means includes a member having an elongated portion extending from the pin through the slot of the first member beyond thelatter where this second member has a free end portion accessible to the operator. Thus the operator can engage the latter free end portion of :the second member to :move the latter with respect to the pin to bring about a second control function of the machine, while at the same time the first member is independently movable on the pin to bring about the first control function.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to controls for machines such as typewriters and the like.

Thus, the present invention relates to control mechanisms used, for example, in the setting and resetting of tabs (tabulator stops) of a typewriter, as well as controls for such functions as the resetting of the inked tape of the typewriter. Also, the invention may be used in connection with structures which bring about such functions as control of the key stroke and control of the transport lock of the machine, and the like.

Control mechanisms of the general type conventionally take the form of levers, stops, knobs and similar elements which are generally located at the front wall of the machine casing. For this purpose the machine casing must be provided with a number of openings corresponding to the number of control elements which must be actuated by and accessible to the operator, and of course the shape and number of these openings must correspond to the 'shape and number of controls which are accessible to the operator. The manufacturing of openings of this type in the machine casing is a serious disadvantage because of the operations and costs involved. In addition it isrequired that a suitable structure be provided to compensate for the inaccurate positioning of the machine casing on the machine, since such inaccuracies are encountered during mass production of machines. Because of these latter factors it has already been proposed to relocate the controls of typewriting and similar machines, and thus these controls, when not accessible at openings of the machine casing, are situated at opposite sides of the keyboard. With this latter type of construction, however, it is only possible to locate one control at each side of the keyboard, particularly when esthetic requirements are also adhered to.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is a primary object of the present invention to provide a construction which eliminates the above drawbacks.

In particular, it is an object of the invention to provide a structure which will enable more than one control to be situated at each side of the machine, at opposite sides of the keyboard, for example.

Furthermore, it is an object of the invention to provide a plurality of controls at each side of the machine without disturbing the asthetic appearance of the machine.

Also, it is an object of the invention to provide at each side of the machine a plurality of controls which form part of an extremely simple and compact assembly which can be very economically manufactured and assembled and which is very reliable in operation.

Furthermore, it is an object of the invention to provide a construction of this type wherein the controls are easily visible and operable so that the controls can be readily operated in a highly convenient manner.

In accordance with the invention the control mechanism includes a structure which is carried by a pin which is fixed to a frame of the machine. This structure takes the form of a first control means for carrying out a first control function, and this first control means includes an elongated first control member which is pivotally carried by the latter pin, which is elongated, and which is formed intermediate its ends with an elongated slot. A second control means is provided for carrying out a second control function of the machine, and this second control means includes a second control member which is also supported for movement by the same pin which supports the first member for pivotal movement. This second control member has an elongated portion extending through the slot of the first member and terminating in a free end situated beyond the first member so as to be accessible to the operator who can thus actuate either the first member independently of the second member or the second member independently of the first member to bring about with this simple compact assembly a pair of independent control functions.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING The invention is illustrated by way of example of the accompanying drawing which forms part of this applicaion and in which:

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary, partly schematic, side view of one embodiment of a control structure of the invention, shown mounted on a machine;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary side view of a second embodiment, the first control member of FIG. 2 being shown in section;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary, schematic side view showing, in a partly sectional manner, a third embodiment of a control structure according to the invention;

FIG. 4 is a longitudinal sectional illustration of the first control member of FIG, 3 showing the appearance thereof when seen from beneath this first control member;

FIG. 5 is a perspective illustration of the first control member of FIG. 1, as seen when looking at the under side thereof; and

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary top plan view of a typewriter shown at one side thereof where the control structure of the invention is situated, an identical assembly being symmetrically situated at the opposite side of the machine which is illustrated in FIG. 6.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now to the drawing, there is shown in FIG. 1, in a fragmentary manner, the frame 7 of the machine, which in the illustrated example is a typewriter, this frame 7 fixedly carrying a pin 6 which extends perpendicularly to the plane of FIG. 1.

The first control means which can be actuated by the operator to carry out a first control function takes the form of an elongated bar 1 provided at its underside with a pair of integral depending projections or lugs 2 and 3 (FIG. 5) which are of triangular configuration and which are formed with coaxial openings 4 and 5, respectively, passing therethrough. The pin 6 extends through these openings 4 and 5, so that in this way the elongated control member 1 is supported for swinging movement on the pin 6. As may be seen from FIG. 6, the elongated bar 1 has at one end an arm 8 designated and this particular arm 8 is provided with a depending lug 9 formed with an opening 10 which receives a pivot pin 11 serving to pivotally connect one end of a push-pull bar 12 to the arm 8 of the control member 1. This bar 12 forms part of an unillustrated setting and resetting mechanism for setting the tabs (tabulator stops) of the typewriter. The opposed arm 13 of the bar 1 is not connected to any control structure and carries at its upper surface, which is visible to the operator, the symbol Intermediate its ends the elongated control member 1 is formed with a longitudinal slot 14 passing through the member 1 and situated in a plane which extends between the lugs 2 and 3. A second control means for performing a second control function of the machine includes a flat control member 15 which in the embodiment of FIG. 1 is in the form of a lever also supported for swinging movement by the pin 6, this lever 15 extending from the pin 6 through the slot 14 and being situated between the lugs 2 and 3. The lever 15 extends at its upper end beyond the control member 1, and this second control member 15 terminates at its upper end in a portion which is accessible to the operator so that it can be actuated independently of the control member 1. Thus, the control member 15 can be swung about the pin 6 independently of the control member 1 with respect to the pin 6.

The lower portion 16 of the second control member 15 terminates in a notched bottom portion 17 formed with three detent notches 18, 19, and 20. A leaf spring 21 which is fixedly carried at its left end, as viewed in FIG. 1, by the machine frame 7, terminates at its right end in a curved free end portion which can be received in one of the detent notches 18-20, so that the detent spring 21 is capable of maintaining the member 15 at a selected angular position. An elongated bar or lever 23 of an unillustrated mechanism for resetting the inked tape of the typewriter is pivotally connected by a pin 22 to the lower portion 17 of the control member 15, so that when the latter is turned the element 23 will be moved to bring about operations in connection with a second control function such as resetting of the tape.

The embodiment of FIG. 2 differs from that of FIG. 1 only at the structure of the second control member. For the sake of simplicity and clarity all similar and/or equivalent members in the embodiment of FIG. 2 have reference characters the members of which have been increased by 100 with respect to the reference characters of the embodiment in FIG. 1. In this case the control member 115 is formed with three parallel slots 124, 125, and 126 which respectively receive the pins 106, 127, and 128, the pins 127 and 128 being fixed to the frame 7 and being parallel to the pin 106, while all of the slots 124-126 are parallel to each other. Thus, with this embodiment the control member 115 is shiftable along the pin 106 in the direction of the double-headed arrow shown just above the top free end of the member 115 in FIG. 2, this being the free end which is accessible to the operator. In FIG. 1 the member 15 swings as shown by the doubleheaded arrow above the member 15. In both FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, however, the member 1 or 101 swings as shown by the double-headed arrow indicated at the upper left end of member 1 or 101.

In the embodiment of FIG. 2 the portion 116 of the member 115 fixedly carries a control pin 129 for selectively engaging one of a plurality of notches 130, 131,

132 formed at the free end of the elongated control member 123 which brings about the resetting of the tape. These notches, which are similar to detent notches 130, 131, 132, for receiving the pin 129 are located at the portion 141 of the control member 123.

In the embodiment of the invention which is illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4, the first control member is made up of a pair of components. For sake of simplicity and clarity all similar and/ or equivalent members in the embodiment of FIGS. 3 and 4 have reference characters the members of which have been increased by 200 with respect to the reference characters of the embodiment of FIG. 1 and by with respect to the embodiment in FIG. 2. Thus, the first control member includes an elongated bar 201 which has an elongated sheet metal member 202, made of sheet steel, for example, fixed thereto and extending perpendicularly therefrom. The sheet steel member 202 is formed with an opening 234 (FIG. 4) which receives the pin 206 which is fixed to the frame 7 and which forms the common support for the pair of control members, in accordance with the invention. At its lower end the sheet-steel plate member 202 has an elongated arm 235 carrying at its free end 236 a pivot pin 238 received in an opening 237 of the free end 236 and also received in an opening at one end of the elongated pushpull bar 212. In the embodiment of FIGS. 3 and 4 the portion 216 of the member 215 fixedly carries a control pin 229 for selectively engaging one of a plurality of notches 230, 231, 232 formed at the free end of the elongated control member 223 which brings about the resetting of the tape.

In order to fix the members 201 and 202 to each other, the member 202 terminates at its upper edge in a pair of upwardly directed lugs 239 and 240 which are pressed or otherwise fixed in openings of the bar 201. This bar 201 is formed in this case also with the longitudinal slot 214, but in addition it is formed at its underside with the elongated recess 233 ('FIG.4) through which the second control member 215 extends to have access to the slot 214 which communicates with the elongated recess 233. The embodiment of FIG. 3 is similar to that of FIG. 2 in connection with the member 215 since this member 215 in the case of FIG. 3 is also formed with the three parallel slots 224-226 which respectively receive the pins 206, 227, and 228 and this member 215 of FIG. 3 also coacts, in the manner described above in connection with FIG. 2, with the tape setting control 223.

Thus, in the embodiment of FIGS. 3 and 4 the second control member 215 is situated beside the plate 202 of the first control member, extending through the slot 214 thereof, whereas in the embodiments of FIGS. 1 and 2 the second control member 15,115 is situated between the lugs 2 and 3, 102 and 103, respectively. It will be noted, however, that in all embodiments the pins 6, 106, 206 forms a common support for both of the control members and the entire arrangement is exceedingly simple and compact providing easily accessible controls at each side of the machine so that the operator can very easily carry out the required controls in an extremely convenient manner.

What is claimed is:

1. In a mechanism for controlling a machine such as a typewriter, a machine frame, a pin carried by said frame, first control means for performing a first control function, said first control means including a first elongated control member swingably carried by said pin and formed intermediate its ends with a longitudinally extending slot, and second control means for performing a second control function, said second control means including a second control member supported, at least in part, for movement by said pin and having an elongated manually engagable portion extending through and beyond said slot of said first member and terminating in a free end accessible to the operator beyond said first member.

2. The combination of claim 1 and wherein said second member is also supported for swinging movement by said pin.

3. The combination of claim 1 and wherein said second member is formed with an elongated slot through which said pin extends, and said frame carrying at least one additional pin, said second member being formed with at least one'additional slot parallel to the slot through which said pin extends, and said additional pin being parallel to the pin which supports said first member, so that through said pair of pins and slots said second member is supported for movement along said slot of said first member in the direction of said slots of said second member.

4. The combination of claim 1 and wherein a pushpull bar is pivotally connected at one end to said first member to be shifted thereby for bringing about the first control function.

5. The combination of claim 1 and wherein a push-pull bar is pivotally connected to said second member to be controlled thereby for performing the second function, said second member also being swingably carried by said pin for pivotal movement thereon.

6. The combination of claim 5 and wherein a detent means coacts with said second member for releasably maintaining the latter at one of a plurality of selected angular position with respect to said pin.

7. The combination of claim 3 and wherein said second member carries a control pin, and an elongated control bar having at one end a plurality of notches for selectively receiving said control pin depending upon the position of said second member, so that shifting of said second member controls by coaction of said control pin with said notches the position of said control bar.

8. The combination of claim 1 wherein said first member is in the form of an elongated bar having at one face a pair of depending lugs between which said slot of said first member is situated with said lugs being formed with aligned openings through which said pin extends, and said second member being situated between said lugs.

9. The combination of claim 1 and wherein said first control member is in the form of an elongated bar formed with said slot and a flat plate fixed to and extending from said bar, said plate being situated beside said slot and formed with an opening through which said pin extends, said second member being situated beside said plate on said pin and extending through said slot of said bar, and an elongated push-pull member for producing said first control function, said plate being pivotally connected to said elongated push-pull member which produces the first control function in response to turning of said first control member on said pin.

10. The combination of claim 1 and wherein the machine is a typewriter, said first control member being used for tab setting and the typewriter including an elongated push-pull bar pivotally connected at one end to said first member for providing setting of tabs in response to swinging of said bar on said pin, the typewriter further including an elongated member which when shifted is capable of resetting a tape of the typewriter, and said second control member coacting with said tape resetting member for positioning the latter in response to movement of said second member with respect to said pin.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 865,459 9/ 1907 Vidal. 2,878,871 3/1959 Neidhardt. 3,412,839 11/1968 Smith et al.

ERNEST T. WRIGHT, 111., Primary Examiner US. Cl. X.R. 197--100, 106 

